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Jennifer is certified as an Elder Law Attorney by the National Elder Law Foundation and is accredited by the Veteran’s Administration to practice before the VA. Jennifer is a member of the Elder Law sections of both the Indiana and Michigan state bars, and is a past chairperson of the Indiana Elder Law section and current member of the Board of Directors of National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA).. As an Elder Law attorney for Tuesley Hall Konopa, Jennifer counsels clients in the areas of elder law, estate planning & administration, estate taxation, gifting, special needs, trusts, guardianships, veteran’s benefits, Medicaid benefits, and probate.

In some ways my second career is very close to my first one. If preparation and looking out for one another made us good enough to win Super Bowl XXI, it is even more valuable to me now as a legal counselor. My first career is long over, but many of the good habits I learned from it have stayed with me.  Our planning process is called Sideline to Sideline because it is complete, not leaving things for others to do later. And because it is complete our clients are rewarded with smooth transitions.. Winning has always required more than just rolling out of bed in the morning. By taking a proactive approach our clients and their families meet life's challeges with grace and confidence.

I have built a dynamic and diverse general practice that enables me to provide leading businesses, their executives and families with the commercial and personal legal assistance they need. Because I strive to develop long-term relationships with my clients, matching my legal knowledge to their changing business and family priorities, I have assisted with everything from multi-million-dollar transactions to estate planning and probate administration. Business owners often seek my input with ongoing management decisions, and changes to their employment handbooks and HR policies.  I make sure the company meets its objectives while also complying with the law. I have also defended companies against discrimination claims made by terminated employees. In the end, my goal is to help my clients solve their legal challenges promptly and effectively, helping their businesses to flourish as I also protect their personal assets.I have always placed a high value on people and the community. I was raised just outside of South Bend in New Carlisle on my family’s dairy farm. My great-grandfather purchased the farm while working at Studebaker’s during the Great Depression and the farm has remained in my family for three generations, worked by both my grandfather and father. Growing up, I actively participated in my local 4-H Club and showed dairy cattle from my family’s farm at the County Fair. This community-centered upbringing instilled in me the desire to help others and to build lasting relationships both personally and professionally. I was also raised in a culture that honored a person’s handshake as their word; today, that perspective helps me to keep things simple, to cut to the chase legally, without overcomplicating matters. Simply put, I efficiently protects my clients while keeping things simple.I pride myself on being exactly who my clients need me to be as their businesses and families grow. I am fortunate enough to have handled so many different issues for my clients that I generally know how to help them solve their big and small challenges.Since 2013, I have shared my legal knowledge and experiences with the next generation of business leaders by teaching business law as an adjunct professor at Saint Mary’s College, my alma mater. I identify a recent call from a former student, who now owns her own business, as one of my most gratifying professional experiences. My student knew the issues to be concerned about from our class and wanted to retain me to ensure she was adequately protecting herself.My husband, Leon, and I have two young sons who are the focus of nearly all of our free time. When I am not at work or with my family, I enjoy volunteering for local non-profit organizations.  I am a member and past president of the Junior League of South Bend and serve as a director of the Scholarship Foundation of St. Joseph County.  I am also a past president of the Saint Mary’s College South Bend Alumnae Club and past board member of the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition.

Doug’s office is easy to get to: just off the Bypass, near US 31 South, on Kern Road.. For me, the word caring shows action and engagement of everyone touched: friends, family, the elder him or herself. Care, on the other hand makes the elder an object of attention, passive recipient: an It. The elder is my client, the one with whom I must maintain as normal a relationship as possible. That means we each give and participate.

Experienced State attorney serving clients in South Bend and surrounding areas.

Experienced State attorney serving clients in South Bend and surrounding areas.

Experienced State attorney serving clients in South Bend and surrounding areas.

Experienced State attorney serving clients in South Bend and surrounding areas.

Experienced State attorney serving clients in South Bend and surrounding areas.

Experienced State attorney serving clients in South Bend and surrounding areas.

Experienced State attorney serving clients in South Bend and surrounding areas.

Experienced State attorney serving clients in South Bend and surrounding areas.

Experienced State attorney serving clients in South Bend and surrounding areas.